Reporters’ group says more than 50 journalists hurt or harassed in Brazil protests

Above: Fierce clashes broke out between protesters and riot police during a demonstration near the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday. At the time, the sporting venue was playing host to a Confederations Cup semi-final football match between Brazil and Uruguay.

SAO PAULO, Brazil – The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism says that more than 50 journalists have been injured, harassed or arrested during the protest demonstrations that have swept Latin America’s biggest country since June 17.

The wave of protests began as opposition to transportation fare hikes, then expanded to a variety of causes including government corruption, high taxes, poor public services and high World Cup spending.

The association says in an emailed statement that 34 journalists were the victims of “aggression, hostility or threats by police officers,”

Six reporters were arrested, some for a few minutes and others for up to three days. It says 12 were hurt by protesters.